Around 22000 skill development centre workers unemployed in Maharashtra

Of the 7500 skill-development centres in the state, only 2322 are functional.

In the recent past, the Central Government has taken several steps to give a boost to skill development in the country. It has launched its flagship skill development programme— one of the most ambitious programmes—with the aim of producing 4.5 crore skilled youth by 2022.

But what is the ground reality with respect to its implementation in the states? How many youths have been trained and skilled?

In Maharashtra, where skill development has been found to be in a deplorable state, the skill development programme is being carried forward by the Maharashtra Rajya Kaushalya Vikas Manch (MRKVM).

The state has 7500 skill-development centres, of which only 2322 are functional. For the last two years the state has not allocated funds to these centres and around 22000 workers from these centres are unemployed. The Government has not paid them their dues since 2012!

MRKVM members are sitting on a dharna at the Azad Maidan, pressing for their demands.

As per MRKVM data, since the launch of the skill development programme, only 1.32 lakh youths have been skilled in three years.

Other reasons for lacunae in implementation of programme are the non-clearance of licences on time for construction of centres, non-payment of funds, and so on.

Since these centres are established by taking loans from the banks, non-payment of funds to the owners of the centres have made them defaulters.